Response to "Interesting Ways to get to know your New Class"

This google doc slide show, posted on EDTE.CH, contains 28 tips for ice-breaker activities that can be used in a classroom.  Coming from a wide variety of contributors, there are many unique ideas to choose from.  Some were very familiar to me, and some I had never heard of, but plan to try in my new classroom this coming year.  I feel that get-to-know-you activities and team-builders are very important in a new (and existing) classroom; they help to build a sense of community by allowing the students to know to know one another and find some differences and commonalities in the group.  One of my favorites is an activity I call the "Name Game," which is similar to a  couple of activities presented in this slide show, with a slight twist at the end.  I begin by explaining to the students that I would like to get to know them better, and to begin, I want to learn all their names.  I ask them to think about the first letter of their first name, and come up with another word that begins with that letter that tells something about them.  I give the example of:  "My name is Donna, and I like donuts."  I tell them that they will be expected to pay attention, and remember the names of their classmates and the thing that each told.  I begin with, "My name is Mrs. Tramper, and I'm the teacher."  The student closest to me is expected to say, "Her name is Mrs. Tramper, and she's the teacher.  My name is ______, and I (like, am, etc) _______."  We then continue around the room, with each student starting by introducing me and everyone who went before him/her.  I offer help when needed, but other students are not allowed to shout out the answers.  The twist at the end (which always tends to amaze and delight the students) is that while they're telling their names and something about themselves, I am thinking of a story that connects the students (it really taxes my brain sometimes, but I manage!)  For example: This is Mariana, and she likes monkeys.  One day her monkey went Donna's house, and ate all her donuts!  Donna was so upset, she asked Hannah if she could borrow her horse to ride to the store and buy more donuts..." and so on.  By the end of the activity, I always know every one's name!

The complete google doc, by Tom Barrett and other contributors,  can be viewed at:  https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_650dvtj3dgk